Financial Sector Wrap

On a trading day that saw the S&P 500 gain 0.6%, the Financial sector (XLF) showed little change.

While being down today, the ETF, as a proxy for sector performance, tracked closer to the overall market today than over the past month. Entering today's trading, XLF was up 4.5% over the last thirty trading days while the S&P 500 was down 3.9%.

Increasing 14.4% (+$1.24) to close at $9.88, Net one UEPS Technologies (UEPS) was a major gainer in the sector. Today, 349,528 shares traded hands. The stock traded in a range of $9.49 to $10.23. Share price is up $1.71 (20.9%) from $8.17 on July 26, 2012.

Stewardship Financial Corporation (SSFN) was a major loser in the sector, falling 11.4% (-60 cents) to close at $4.65 with 2,150 shares moving. The stock traded in a range of $4.65 to $5.

KB Financial Group (KB) declined 3.5% to close at $32.47, moving below its 50-day moving average of $31.98 and 200-day moving average of $33.62.

Cash America International (CSH) rose 2.6% to close at $39.58, approaching its 50-day moving average of $40.60. It has also moved closer to its 200-day moving average of $43.52. Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrstrctre (MFD) fell 4.4% to close at $15.39, moving down to 0.8% above its 200-day moving average of $15.27.

Alliance Data Systems Corporation (ADS) hit a new 52-week high today, reaching $138.68 to top the previous high of $138.33.